Guess I've just been lucky all along as I've left my door unlocked countless times and usually leave the key behind the wheel or up in the arch or in the spring plate. Also buried car keys in the sand with a rock above to find them again.

I don't like using the key pocket in my suit as I tied another knot in it one day instead of loosening it, and with hands like frozen mallets it took me aaaaaaages to get it off.

Chris F wrote:Can't you just put all your valuables in a small drybag and stash them in your kayak?

I could do but I don't like to in case I take a nasty swim and have to abandon my boat. While I would be gutted to loose my boat (it is insured though) I would be a hell of a lot more gutted to loose my boat, my wallet, my watch and my car keys. I would also have to make sure it is nice and snugg in there as I find it really off putting / distracting having something rattling about in my boat and I really do not find it any bother to take a key on the water in an aquapack.

I've been looking around a way to get a non-chipped (non-transponder) key for '99 Audi so I went to Timpson for an advice and they said Audi doesn't make non-chipped key, full stop. They also said that the lock on the doors aren't just a mechanical locking system and they also require chipped key to open and lock.

Is this true? I'm not so convinced. Is there a way to create a spare key what I can take in water or not?

Or is it going to be "key in waterproof pack around the neck" solution?

I'm sure there are handful of fellow wave riders with '90s Audi (or VW Audi Group) who thought of getting a non-chipped key... how do you deal with your keys?

You want to get that story off your chest, I know.As for the key, try different key cutters and make sure they understand you just want the metal shape to shove in a lock, see who says "Ok mate, there you go", I've had varying responses in the past, not Audi though.